The IRS is currently developing strategies to reduce the likelihood of increased audits for taxpayers earning below $400,000. However, specific elements on a tax return can still attract attention, regardless of income.
A recent report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) indicated that the IRS has made only “limited progress” in establishing a methodology for calculating audit coverage, as mandated by a directive from the U.S. Treasury Department.
➡️ It is important to remember that in August 2022, Congress allocated $80 billion to the IRS, with a significant portion designated for enforcement activities. That same month, the Treasury instructed the IRS that these funds could not be utilized for heightened audits of small businesses or households earning less than $400,000 annually.
In light of this, the IRS has agreed to implement TIGTA‘s recommendations and intends to document the development of its audit methodology, as noted in the report.
At the same time, the IRS continues to concentrate its enforcement efforts on higher-income individuals, large corporations, and intricate partnerships. Last month, the Treasury Department revealed that $1.3 billion has been recovered from “high earners and high net worth individuals.”
“It’s unjust that ordinary Americans fulfill their tax obligations while facing financial challenges, while some of the wealthiest individuals in this country manage to evade their responsibilities”
Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen
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Red Flags for IRS
At Wave Tax, we highlight some potential red flags that may trigger IRS audits, regardless of your income level:
🚩Unreported Income is Easily Detectable by the IRS
Although the agency primarily targets high-income individuals, ordinary taxpayers can still be audited if their tax returns are not accurately filed.
One significant red flag is the omission of income. Employers and financial institutions submit information returns, such as Forms W-2 and 1099, directly to the IRS, allowing the agency to quickly identify any discrepancies in reported income.
🚩 Investors in Cryptocurrency May also Face Scrutiny
Crypto-investors will also be subject to tax reporting through information returns.
They are required to report income through information returns, and the IRS established new tax guidelines for cryptocurrency in September.
These guidelines mandate annual reporting starting in 2026, covering transactions from 2025.
🚩Taxpayers Must be Prepared to Justify All Claimed Deductions
Unreasonable deductions can trigger an audit. For instance, if you earn $75,000 annually and claim $15,000 or $20,000 in charitable contributions, this may raise red flags.
➡️ When claiming deductions, it is essential to maintain thorough documentation to support each item. Without adequate proof, credits or deductions may be disallowed during an audit.
Despite these areas of heightened scrutiny, IRS audits are still relatively uncommon.
🔎 According to the latest Databook, the IRS reviewed only 0.44% of individual returns and 0.74% of corporate returns for all filings made between 2013 and 2021 by the end of the 2023 tax year.
✅ Remember, Wave Tax is here to assist you and your business with the tax planning and preparation needs.
📍Contact us at info@wavetax.us